Deluge of ads sends mixed messages as primary campaign winds down

Ryan Keith

Tuesday

Jan 26, 2010 at 12:01 AMJan 26, 2010 at 8:42 PM

The campaign nausea is setting in about now, if it hasn't hit full strength already. Sorting through the clutter of the deluge of campaign advertisements and videos is one of the biggest chores, as candidates talk crossways about who's the best choice and why. It will all be over next week. In the meantime, here's what you need to know about which candidates for statewide office are using television ads and Internet videos to spread their message and what they're saying in those clips.

The campaign nausea is setting in about now, if it hasn't hit full strength already.

Sorting through the clutter of the deluge of campaign advertisements and videos is one of the biggest chores, as candidates talk crossways about who's the best choice and why.

It will all be over next week. In the meantime, here's what you need to know about which candidates for statewide office are using television ads and Internet videos to spread their message and what they're saying in those clips.

Governor

Democrats

Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes are embroiled in an increasingly ugly battle that has spilled all over the airwaves.

Hynes rips Quinn for mishandling both early release of prisoners and the state budget's problems. "It's time to release Pat Quinn from his job," one recent Hynes ad states.

A new Hynes ad even shows the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington harshly criticizing Quinn after firing him from a city post in the 1980s. Quinn says using that old footage is unfair.

Quinn shoots back at Hynes for lackluster oversight of cemeteries, with a scandal at one Chicago cemetery last summer, and of a burial trust fund under fire for mismanagement.

Some spots are positive. Quinn makes extensive use of strongly produced videos for the Web showing endorsements, bill signings and meetings with constituents. Even his sons talk about their dad's virtues in one Internet video.

Hynes uses videos to show his backing from women, a neighbor and a teacher who knew he was always "good at math."

Republicans

Chicago businessman and former Illinois GOP chairman Andy McKenna has the biggest ad presence by far of the field. His initial ads focused on the "hair" theme from the notoriously coiffed former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the stain left behind by his administration. He's also questioned whether other Republican candidates are really Republicans who would fight tax increases as much as he would.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard is the Edgar candidate, touting his endorsement from popular former Gov. Jim Edgar in ads and videos and appearances whenever possible.

Former Attorney General Jim Ryan has a television ad with some footage from 2002, when he lost to Blagojevich for governor. His online ads include two actual spots from that 2002 race.

State Sen. Bill Brady and businessman Adam Andrzejewski also have a couple of TV ads touting their strengths and other clips on their Web sites. Commentator Dan Proft has a number of videos talking about his effort to clean up Springfield.

U.S. Senate

Democrats

Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is at the top of the pack with television ads with titles such as "Heart," "Peace of Mind" and "Heroes." One ad talks with workers about his efforts as state treasurer to help keep open a Chicago factory.

Former Chicago inspector general David Hoffman is trying to play the role of spoiler. Hoffman's ads and videos both tout his endorsements and what he thinks it takes to be U.S. senator and blast Giannoulias for slipups while treasurer.

In one spot, a woman whose family was one of many that lost millions of dollars in the Bright Start college savings fund overseen by the treasurer's office says Giannoulias now running for Senate is a "slap in the face."

Cheryle Jackson has a short TV ad out and a couple of Internet videos wishing viewers well for the holidays. Jacob Meister has a couple of TV ads about himself and the economy and several Internet videos, including meetings with staff members, personal interviews and even highlights of when he filed to run for the seat.

Republicans

The GOP is a much quieter bunch when it comes to videos.

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk is considered the frontrunner but so far has done little with videos. He has a "Leadership for Illinois" TV ad and other clips online.

Businessman Patrick Hughes is Kirk's most pointed critic, with several videos chastising Kirk votes on the budget and environment and touting himself as a true conservative Republican choice.

Don Lowery and Kathleen Thomas have short videos talking about their campaigns online, and Lowery has at least one TV ad.

Other races

With a few exceptions, the long list of candidates running for other statewide races are much shorter on ads.

In the lieutenant governor's race, Republican Matt Murphy appears in a couple of TV ads with "running mate" Andy McKenna for governor. Rookie politicians Democrat Scott Lee Cohen and Republican Jason Plummer are pumping some personal wealth into the campaign with television ads about themselves.

Democrat Thomas Castillo gets creative by asking supporters to send to him videos of one minute or less to post on his Web site.

All six comptroller candidates have videos or ads out.

Republican Jim Dodge manages to make fun of both his opponents – Judy Baar Topinka and William Kelly – at the same time in one Internet video. Kelly, for his part, has several videos that don't seem to have a lot to do with his run for the office.

Democrats Raja Krishnamoorthi and state Rep. David Miller each have television ads up in the final weeks of the campaign.

In the treasurer's race, Democrats Robin Kelly and Justin Oberman each have brief videos online. State Sen. Dan Rutherford, unopposed for the Republican bid, has several Internet videos focused on his legislative work.

Ryan Keith can be reached at (217) 788-1518 or ryan.keith@sj-r.com.

The ads

A look at the videos offered online through YouTube by the candidates for the governor and U.S. Senate, along with a notable quote from each candidate's work.

Governor

Democrats

Pat Quinn – http://www.youtube.com/user/QuinnForIllinois

"It's everybody in, nobody left out. And the governor has to be the leader to make that happen," Quinn says in one ad.

Dan Hynes – http://www.youtube.com/danhynesforgovernor

"Democrat Dan Hynes: a record of fiscal responsibility, and he'll keep Illinois safe," an announcer says in one ad.

Republicans

Kirk Dillard – http://www.youtube.com/user/DillardforGovernor

"I saw firsthand what a great governor can do for a great state. We need that kind of leadership again," Dillard says in one ad.

Jim Ryan – http://www.youtube.com/jimryan2010

"One man has the independence, the character and the strength it takes. Jim Ryan for governor," an announcer in one ad says.

Andy McKenna – http://www.youtube.com/user/McKennaforIllinois

"Andy McKenna: a conservative Republican who will cut spending and not raise taxes," an announcer says in one ad.

Bill Brady – http://www.youtube.com/user/bradyforillinois

"Bill Brady's not from Chicago. He's the only downstate businessman for governor," an announcer says in one ad.

"Tax cuts and spending caps: they only work every single time they're tried. Are you ready to turn Springfield upside down?" Proft says in one ad.

U.S. Senate

Democrats

Alexi Giannoulias – http://www.youtube.com/user/Citizens4Giannoulias

"Alexi Giannoulias: the only Senate candidate with a detailed plan to create jobs, cut taxes to spur hiring, crack down on China's trade violations."

David Hoffman – http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffmanforillinois

"It is the duty of our government to protect the public interest, and not to let powerful special interests run roughshod over the rest of us," Hoffman says in one video.

Cheryle Jackson – http://www.youtube.com/user/Cheryle2010

"We should honor our troops by bringing them home. I'm Cheryle Jackson and I approved this ad because it's time we leave Afghanistan and Iraq. It's time," Jackson says in one ad.

Jacob Meister – http://www.youtube.com/user/MeisterForSenate2010

"Although I'm not a politician, I know how to transform government to make it work for the people of Illinois," Meister says in one ad.

Robert Marshall – http://www.youtube.com/user/MarshallforUSSenate

"I'm Robert Marshall. I not only approve this ad, I made this ad," Marshall says in one ad.

Republicans

Mark Kirk – http://www.youtube.com/user/MarkKirkNews

"Tired of being embarrassed by elected officials? Take a look at a real leader: Congressman Mark Kirk," an announcer says in one ad.

Patrick Hughes – http://www.youtube.com/user/hughesforsenate

"We need a new revolution in America, starting with the Republican Party. Let's be the party of Ronald Reagan again," Hughes says in one ad.

Don Lowery – http://www.youtube.com/user/Lowery4USSenate

"We've got to have responsive people in Washington who are not going to just vote their own special interest and are going to think about what's best for the American people. That's why I'm running," Lowery says in one ad.

Kathleen Thomas – http://www.youtube.com/user/Thomasforussenate

"I am the best choice to beat the Democrat candidate in November. I have intelligence, integrity and common sense," Thomas says in one video.

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